IDLE RELIEF WORKERS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1933, Page 5

IDLE RELIEF WORKERS

“MEN VERY ILL-ADVISED.” CRITICISM OF LEADERS. Napier, July 10. “I consider the local relief workers were very ill-advised to strike at the present,” said Mr. F. B. Logan, chairman of the Hawke’s Bay County Council, at to-day’s meeting. “We are all sympathetic with the relief workers and sorry they have been led on to strike,” he continued. “We have stated our willingness to grant better conditions and I feel we have now done our best.” In detailing events in regard to the dispute since the last meeting of the council, the chairman stated that the leaders of the men had attended a conference held by the local bodies. The problem really was one between the Unemployment Board and the workers, but the county had been drawn into the net and given all the blame for the position. “I would like to congratulate the chairman on his efforts,” said Mr. W. Tucker. “The leaders of the strike had no intention to agree to a settlement and their fear of a secret ballot reflected their fear of the decision of the rank and file of the workers. Past experience has shown that many years’ progress has been lost through the adoption of these methods. Perhaps seme day the evil strike weapon will go and more constitutional methods will be adopted. The men should have more sane leaders. I have been assured that 90 per cent of the workers are not with them. Really I hope we shall see the end of it shortly.” Continuing, Mr. Tucker stated that members of the council who were at the conference agreed to better conditions, but that was not enough for the leaders of the strike. In regard to camps which had been erected by the county, Mr. Tucker said they were perhaps too elaborate. No private camp would be half so well fitted. He added, “I think we have gone far enough and should not go further until they come to their senses.” “The leaders would not have agreed to any conditions we would have offered,” said Mr. Classen. “They said it was a nation-wide effort. Then why did they call out Napier and Hastings men and make them suffer? I fully endorse what Mr. Tucker has said in regard to the secret ballot. At the conference there were about 20 representatives of local bodies who all agreed that the offer by the county was a fair one and the men should go back.” Mr. Logan: We pointed out the fact that we would not really suffer through the strike. We have 100 permanent employees of our own. ,• The fact that we have not got relief workers merely means that we may take a little longer for some jobs.

On the motion of Mr. T. M. Chambers, seconded 'by Sir Andrew Russell, the actions of the chairman were endorsed. ...